As noted in another post, in-app updates of Parallels Desktop for Mac is problematic at best. Over the past few versions, beginning with Version 3, I have routinely downloaded the "Trial" version as a work-around. To be honest, the fine print for requesting a hidden URL went unnoticed. Now that I know about it, I can use the ephemeral URL emailed to me. But there are important questions here: What is the difference between the "Trial" download product and the product downloaded using the emailed URL? Have I been damaging my Windows XP and Windows 7 machines by using them (with my paid-for keys, of course)??? Could this be the reason that running existing VMs of both types after updating to PDM7 Build 7.0.15052, Revision 719728 results in hard failure to upgrade Parallels Tools, both in XP and Windows 7? This should not be the case based on continual upgrades to PDM7 using the same set of Windows XP VMs since PDM4 and Windows 7 through PD7 except for this latest (Nov 11, 2011) update.
Trial is EXACTLY the same .dmg as retail, the only difference is you receive a trial license number in a email. But nowadays, since PDM7, you have a second link below the trial link that says "Already have a license key?" that will let you download the same .dmg but without receiving the trial license. So, no, that's not the reason you have those problems.
Thank you, Specimen. To be honest, I was not even looking for anything other than the big Download button. It's good to have this information. So the problems experienced could be due to Revision 710728. They don't happen on a system still on 7.0.14924.699487 I'll have to investigate some more - for example, I haven't yet tried Windows 8 with the latest PDM7. I hope I'm asking myself and the forum the right questions.
Parallels fails to launch after routine update It is a good thing I have Time Machine! Today the reminder from Parallels dropped in front of my eyes when starting so I proceeded only to find that as I have two virtual machines: XP and Windows 7 which run under Parallels 7, that neither would start as though it had mixed the kernels of both VMs together. So I reverted in Time Machine. I actually also have just XP virtualized on a 250 gig drive and it became too small for me, so I installed a 500 gig drive and as I am still somewhat a novice in using Windows 7, thought I'd also have Windows XP running on the drive as I must reboot to get to the other drive. Once all the kinks are ironed out, my intent would be to just have Windows 7 on the 500 gig drive and then just XP on the 250. I had problems then with Parallels tools and restarted my Mac and finally let it sit for a half an hour so I could do a cold boot and then I could start Parallels with the roll back to the App as it was in mid October and then install Parallels tools. Unless there is good news about any other update or upgrade. I am going to stay with what I have right now as it works and I have work to do on my computer. What a headache!
